My Mute Bride

Not long after Victor left, Rachel heard the doorbell ring.

Originally thinking he left something behind, she opened the door, only to see a courier.

“Ms. Rachel Hudson?”

Upon hearing that, Rachel nodded.

“There are two intracity express parcels for you. Please sign here.”

Startled, she signed for the parcels, thereafter receiving a cake and a paper bag.

Right now on the table, there was still half an uneaten cake that Victor had rushed out to buy at noon upon finding out it was her birthday.

So, who bought the cake that the courier delivered?

Setting it aside on the table for now, she pulled a rectangular suede box out of the paper bag.

With a click, she opened it and discovered a silver-colored necklace in the box that glimmered underneath the light

The pendant was in the simple design of a small sun with a hollow center.

Putting down the box, she found a card on top of the cake box that simply read ‘Happy Birthday’ without any signature.

Dumbfounded, she stared at the items until her phone started vibrating.

It was a text message from Julian reading, ‘Did you receive what I sent?’

Immediately, she understood. ‘I did. I was wondering who would remember my birthday.’

‘Don’t forget that you’re a patient of mine. It’s not strange that I would remember your birthday.’

‘Thank you.

‘You’re welcome. Are you free? I just finished work; come down for a walk with me!

Looking at the time, she agreed, ‘Okay.’

At this hour after dinner, the community was lively. All of the houses were lit up, and the sound of children laughing could be heard around the neighborhood as they ran around playing.

and opened it. Before she could even offer

cake is

making a ‘wait’ motion with her hand, she lifted a knife and a paper

Julian stopped her and pulled some candles out of a box to the side. “Today is Miss Rachel’s birthday.

group, which happened to be a little girl in pigtails, immediately

sing the ‘Happy

her

blow

to Julian that

the children sing ‘Happy Birthday’ in unison. The delicate chorus of young voices would have a healing effect on any of its

“Make a wish.”

There’s no need.

birthday, Miss Rachel. My mommy says you have to say it in your heart and not

head to look, she found a little girl who wasn’t even at table height yet looking up at her with

and, under the gazes of the children, clasped her hands and made a wish. After that, she blew out the candles and

say thank you!” their parents instructed,

like that, the strangers in the community suddenly seemed closer

finally smiled for the first time in days.

back to her apartment building, Julian continued, “The most important thing right now is to take care of your body and your mood. You

Don’t worry about me. I never wanted it, anyway, so I might as well pretend it never

told her, “Go on upstairs, then. It’s been getting colder lately,

she turned and headed

apartment and about to

loud slam, the door was propped

his darkened face made all the more grotesque by the centipede-like scar on it.

on business?

himself, he slid sideways into the house

been getting

two steps back. Why are you

toward her as he pulled

unmelting icebergs as he sneered, “I suppose you wouldn’t want me to ruin your blissful

he approached her, forcing her

idea what

arm and pulled, she staggered after him and